A tough loss for sure, the Phillies took one on the chin to the Mets, 6-3. They dropped back to a game behind the Mets in the National League East, splitting the two-game set at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phils held the lead until the eighth inning, when things sadly fell apart. Rudy Seanez got the first two outs easily, but Carlos Delgado ripped a line-drive home run (his second of the game) to tie the game. A Carlos Beltran hit took out Seanez and brought in Brad Lidge, who walked Ryan Church intentionally then fell victim to a Daniel Murphy double and Brian Schneider bloop single. When the dust settled, it was 6-3 Mets, and the Phils had blown it.

Charlie Manuel had nowhere to go with Seanez in the eighth. JC Romero, Clay Condrey, Chad Durbin and Ryan Madson were all taxed from the past couple games, forcing Seanez into the game. Question all you want keeping Seanez in the game to face the left-handed Delgado, and question walking Ryan Church, and you’ll have completely valid arguments.

And point to an offensive effort like those of a week ago for some of the blame. The Phils took the lead from Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth homers, but couldn’t deliver with runners on base, especially later in the game. Almost everyone squandered opportunities with men on base, keeping the Mets close, and setting up the crash at the end.

It’s a shame, too, because the Phils wasted a nice, hang-in-there effort by Kyle Kendrick. His five innings were filled with hard-hit bullets, but he kept from major damage. Being lifted after the Mets mounted a mini rally, Scott Eyre mowed down New York with two outstanding innings. He had three strikeouts and looked dominant against both lefties and righties. After the fact, Andrew Carpenter pitched his first major league inning, giving up a walk and a hit, but no runs.

Tough loss, sure. Big loss? Nah. Like I wrote before, this ain’t the end of the world. Let’s all strap in for the final 30-plus.

The one problem I have with Charlie Manuel is that he has Lidge come in and intentionally walk the first batter he faced. I don’t know why Manuel wouldn’t let Seanez walk Church.

Mets have shown the resiliency that teams dream for this season. They have shown that they have a short memory and are able to tie up their cleats and get back on the field and looking for a win.

Tonight on SNY, they said that Jimmy Rollins gets pumped to play the Mets because the Mets ‘hotdog’ it around the field. I really don’t get Rollins argument there. Just because Reyes dances around the field and Tatis praises God after a homerun, opposing players become upset.

It seems like the Mets are starting to take on a role that former great Mets teams had such as the ’86 Mets. That role is the most hated team in the National League. Last season against the Marlins, after the Mets beat the Marlins, I believe 13-0. Hanley Ramirez said that he hated the Mets and wants to kill them every game.

As a baseball fan who is passionate about the the sport, I certainly can appreciate a great rivalry between the Mets and my team, the Phillies. I thought it was an exciting 2-game series that one would expect from such a rivalry during the homestretch of the pennant race. To borrow Tim Malcolm’s words..” the game(s) had everything — great pitching, great offense, great defense, controversial calls, big plays, big numbers.”

One comment regarding SNY broadcaster, Gary Cohen and his questioning the Phillies’ manager (or was it Dubee?) decision to allow Seanez to challenge the red hot Delgado. I believe Cohen wondered why Charlie Manuel didn’t have Seanez give him an “unintentional” walk (don’t throw strikes). At the time I had asked myself the same question. Delgado now has 58 RBIs in last 55 games (season total now at 93). His two HRs tonight gives him 30 for the season. He is clearly the prime candidate for the Comeback Player of the Year award. It’s amazing that as late as June he was ridiculed and considered worthless by both media and fans (Mets & Phillies).

Unfortunately, the Phillies have yet to win a series against the Mets (o for 5 this season and losing 10 of 15 games). However, as Tim reminded us, it’s Aug 27th.. oops, it’s now the 28th. The Phillies are even with the Mets in the all important loss column (60). Every game becomes MORE important. And we have one more series with the Mets at Shea next month.

Next month. taxed bullpen or not, you have to bring Romero in to pitch against Delgado and other left-handed Mets hitters if they come up in a row.

You have to give Delgado credit; tough hitter, tough out. He is right up there among some other players who have consistently hurt the Phillies over the years. Seanez, an older reliever, does not have fast enough stuff to get it past Delgado. Difficult batter in that he can hit the ball just about anywhere it is pitched; can turn on inside pitches and can golf the low balls.

Tonight was a tough loss beinging we we had the lead most of the game against one of the best pitchers in baseball…I’m still pissed at how charlie let Seanz pitch to Delgado he should of just intentionally walked him or brought in Lidge sooner to face Delgado,but o’well…These next four games against the Cubs are gonna be tough because Wrigley is tough place to play and the Cubs play outstanding ball at Wrigley…If we can come outta there with 2 wins that’ll be awesome.

now, these are not implications, this is straight factual information. take it how you want.”
Now Mike T…..Are there Any Phillies playing today on this “HGH” list that you “posess”? If you DO posess this “list”…..than put the investigation/List up so that everyone can see it.Lets see it.

What a great 2-game series! The first game was terrible for my team – absolutely horrendous; but the second game proved that my Mets have the resiliency to fight, not “phight” back in important games. We could not have asked for a better 2-game series in terms of excitement, no?

Hopefully, the Phils can show well against Chicago and that the Marlins can take some starch out of the Mets prior to next weekend’s climatic 3 games with the Division on the line. The Phils MUST at least split with the Cubs.

You know, Philly fans, you can say all you want that the Mets’ fans are the worst and that all they do is talk trash, but there wasn’t one Met fan on this blog for the first 7 innings of last night’s game, yet all I was reading was how every Met who’s having a good season has to be on steroids, and how all Met fans live in basements with their mothers and have no life, and how no one ever gives the Phils’ any credit for their success, and blah blah blah. You guys did nothing but talk trash TO YOURSELVES and look what happened…it bit you guys right in the ass. Did you not learn anything from the Met fans just one night earlier when they were trash-talking after going up 7-0 just to have to run home with their tails’ between their legs when the Phils inevitably rallied back to win? Looks like what goes around comes around, you stupid slobs. This is by far the most hateful baseball blog on the web – something I’m sure you’re all very proud of. But it’s going to be because of shit-talking, arrogant pricks like you that karma will make you suffer in the long run. Heck, when even your own team is calling you out (FRONTRUNNERS), you know you’ve got probelms. Have fun cheering them to a 2nd place finish, LOSERS

Romero was TAXED?! Excuse me, the Phillies are in a Playoff Race, everyone should do whatever it takes to be able to go each day, even if it’s just for one-third of an inning (which may have prevent the Delgado blast in the 8th)

It’s not the end of the world losing this game, however this one is tough to swallow. First of all, whether or not he came out with a lead, Kendrick was terrible again. Getting lucky breaks all night he only lasted 5 plus on a night when the Phils deperately needed innings. Seanez cannot possibly be our best option for a set up guy. I don’t care how tired Romero is, he should have been pitching against Delgado. On a good note, Scott Eyre looks like a nice pickup. And the offense, 3 runs in the first two innings and nothing after that, FRUSTRATING! We had Santana beat and let it get away, it sucks but we have to focus on the Cubbies now….

I’m sick and tired of these relief pitchers being ‘unavailable’. Why are they unavailable? Because they threw 20 pitches the previous night? Because they pitched one inning three nights in a row? Come on – there are only twenty-something games left. You tell me relief pitchers today aren’t conditioned enough to throw more than 20 pitches without a break? They’re getting paid serious clams to pitch so get out there and pitch. Time is fast running out – get out there and pitch!

When was Charlie Manuel ever a genius? Maybe makes a few nice moves some games but outmanages himself most of the time. Welcome to the land of being a Major League manager in Philly and every other city for that matter.

I agree. Playoff race means you quit whining and pitch. Seanez has no reason to be on this team, he has not once pitched in clutch situation. But enough about that piece of trash.

Carpender kind of worried me a fast ball that bearly cracks 89 mph and a change up that sat at 84mph. I know he tooled the Yankees in spring trianing but does he have anything else.

Eyre was lights out, that trade is already looking like a winner. Get that man a contract.

But what it comes down to is the Phillies Strike out to much. I will leave it to Don M. to find out if they lead the league in Ks but i feel like they have to be in the top 5. I am getting sick of the Phils trying to go for the Glory and attmept to Hit a HR every god damn time, just make contact.

Hey Dennis, just read Tim’s kiss-ass article from Wednesday that proclaimed every decision by Charlie was a stroke of genius. Ruiz playing 3B = genius. Myers pinch hitting = genius. Infield back with Easley on third = genius. Bullpen management = genius. Saving Bruntlett for the 9th = genius. And everyone agreed. But fast forward 24 hours, and now all the same frontrunners come out of the woodwork and slam Charlie for leaving in Seanez to face Delgado (even if Romero was unavailbale), and bringing in Lidge with runners on base, and for not pushing the right buttons to generate more than 3 runs. I agree though – you’re only as good as your last game, especially in Philly.

I don’t know how many times I’ve had to repeat myself, but I AM NOT A METS FAN. I am just a fair, impartial observer who isn’t completely biased in favor of my home team. Or a dolt who fires the same useless insults when someone disagrees with me, “that guy.” It must be so hard to face the TRUTH sometimes that the only response you can conjure is that of profanity and slander.

The only move I question is not IBB Delgado. I thought for sure when he came to bat, they would automatically walk him. He is ridiculously hot right now and should not have been given the opportunity to tie the game.

There’s absolutely no reason to be giving relief pitchers a night off in late august unless they are legitimately in some pain or discomfort. They should be more than capable in the prime condition of their lives to pitch 1 inning every night for 5 games straight with no issue let alone for 1 out.

It also just seems like Lidge is not quite as effective in non-save situations. I don’t know if he doesn’t get as pumped up or what, but it just seems like he isn’t as effective.

I agree 100% about not having Lidge walk the first guy he faced.. that is never a smart move for a pitcher to ask him NOT to throw any strikes, and then zone-in on the next one..

I disagree about the Mets NOT being “hotdogs”.. because when Tatis praised the lord and sloowwwwly strolled around 3rd base the other night.. and then does a fake Sammy Sosa hug-high five-dance and whatnot on the dugout steps with his teammates… that is showing the other team up. And if Jimmy Rollins, and Hanley Ramirez have both said something about it.. you know its a legit thing that bothers players!

2 things…
#1.sometimes you just gotta tip-your-cap to Delgado.. he hit two pitches out that other guys would have hit weak grounders on. Neither was a bad pitch, though both probably caught a little more of the plate than they wanted them too.

#2.. Do you guys have any idea how much stress it pts on your arm to warm-up the way these guys do.. Startes only go every 5 days because it takes that long for their arms to relax and muscles to stop swelling.. Guys like Romero, Lidge, Durbin etc throw as hard as they can for warmups and then the game, sometimes 50 pitches, and they do that a few times a week… its not an easy thing, and I guess they figured Seanez at full-strength was better than Romero at his weakest.

truth: Charlie made moves Wednesday, and they paid off. Charlie made moves Thursday, and they didn’t pay off. End of discussion.

I don’t kiss Charlie’s ass, nor do I lambaste him. I’d say if you went back through all my posts, I’ve never developed a judgement of Charlie as a manager after one game, or two games, or what have you.

I look at each game and how situations unfolded. As I wrote, Charlie was dealt a tough hand — one he even dealt to himself by making guys unavailable — and his moves didn’t work. His moves Wednesday proved to be ingenious.

Delgado’s turnaround this season is VERY IMPRESSIVE… in the beginning of the year, fans were calling for him to retire (even into June)… fast foward a little, and he’s at .263, 30 HR, 94 RBI, and 74 runs scored.

I think you need to look at the “big picture” more than most fans do… Since Charlie has been here, the team has played very well. The players have said that he is a great manager, and his record seems to agree with them…

Its so much easier to Monday-Morning-Quaterback all the decisions that don’t pay off, but overall the people running this team (not OWNING this team..but RUNNING IT) have done a very nice job over the past few seasons.

Rick…well said..my thoughts exactly..seems like we blew that game when we had a lead.Christ,Charlie and Coste went out to talk to Seanez (vs Delgado)Im sure to tell him both 1)nothing good to hit and 2)especially nothing low in the strikezone…..Seanez shouldnt have been there in the first place.
.all because we have pampered releivers.

They stole a game vs the Mets on Tuesday night…. and they have a tough 4 game trip comming up here in Chicago. Where, if the wind is blowing out.. you’ll use 5 pitchers in a game… and since they are there for 4 games. and don’t have a day off until NEXT thursday (16 games in a row..)

Its smart to rest your guys when they need it.. you had a lead, and took a chance that didn’t work out. and so you split with the Mets. Its not a bad decision, and will look great if they end up needing their relievers against the Cubs..

Hindsight is easy..and its only one opinion vs another..but in that situation vs the #1 rival in our own division..I would have warmed up Romero ,sent him in vs Delgado.
and worry about the Cubs later..just my humble opinion.

I respect it, and I understand the arguement that the Mets game carries that much more weight than the Cubs games… BUT… they played a few extra-innings game lately, had to use the pen more than they wanted, and figured an extra day of rest was the smarter play than having a guy throw when he really shouldn’t..

I can see both sides of the arguement, I just don’t think that Romero not pitching to Delgado cost them the game anymore than say Chase Utley and Victorino not getting any hits (0-for-7, with a walk combined).. that bothers me more than Seanez instead of Romero

Don M. – You know I completely understand you about trying to rest the bullpen before hitting Chi-town. Exactly the same thought came into my mind concerning Lidge. I was concerned when Charlie brought Lidge in last night in the 8th in a non-save situation exactly for this reason. I’m not second-guessing him, but you would think Romero or Madson would be more expendable than Lidge? Hasn’t Lidge pitched quite a few times over the past several games? I thought Charlie would have been more concerned about keeping him fresh for the Cubs than the rest of the pen?

Ehh…whatever. I’m not bashing Charlie or anything because I do know that they play for him and he does have a proven track record over the past few years. I do tend to keep the big picture in perspective.

It’s funny how the anger seeps in… Good one from Dave, the Mets fan what more could we have asked for than an awesome little series of baseball with a play-off atmosphere. We Phils fans get so focused on October we neglect to enjoy good baseball and that’s what gets you to October. I hate the Mets as much as anyone but I love the rivalry and tip my hat any time there’s an exciting series when both teams come out and play to win, there’s a massive difference between playing to win and playing for October.

As for the bullpen BIG DEAL! One game! we had no right to come back the way we did in game one and we got to Santana in game 2 to feel good in the next game. So what if we didn’t use Romero? So what if Seanz blew a game? Losing is a naturally healthy part of the game! Fred how can you be sick of relievers being unavailable… Throwing just 20 pitches… What about the warm up pitches, the constant up and down having to be physically prepared for what amounts to about 3/4 of the season almost every day without the luxury of being able to iron out mistakes like the starters… How can anyone possibly bitch about the Phillies bullpen in anyway this year and gripe about trying to manage the core contributors appearances when their impact over a week or a fortnight far exceeds the one game…

I am sick of some Phils fans being so damn unappreciative! Savour the good and grit your teeth through the bad and debate sure just stop bitching!

I agree Don M, whenever I see 0-fers now I start to panic and think they’re going to go into another hitting slump. As far as Romero coming in, we are not privy to the state of the relief pitchers arms on any given night. The Phils have a huge series coming up with the Cubs, and I’m sure they’ll need all arms healthy in the pen.

Checking the Chicago weather forecast for tonight…gametime temp of 83 degrees with a 30% chance to isolated thunderstorms. Wind will be blowing out to center/right from the WSW at 8-9 mph. It looks like later in the game (6th inning time approximately), chances of storms increase to 60%, so this may be a short game.

Geoff…I think we can arrange a meeting between you and JRoll ,,Im sure he would like to get together to discuss the trade..\
actually I look forward to guessing when your trade rumor hits the blog every day…pretty good humor